Jennifer Carlson is a literary agent with Dunow, Carlson & Lerner. Jennifer has been agenting since 1997. Previously, she worked at Henry Dunow Literary Agency and Harold Ober Associates. She works with narrative nonfiction writers and journalists covering current events and ideas and cultural history, as well as literary and upmarket commercial novelists. On the children’s side, her clients are primarily young adult and middle grade fiction writers. She is not currently looking for new picture books or YA fantasy. Learn more about Jennifer here.

Krista Van Dolzer is a literary agent at The Unter Agency. Krista has worked in and around the publishing industry for more than a decade. Her middle grade fiction has been published by Penguin Random House, Sourcebooks, Capstone, and Bloomsbury USA. Krista is looking for all things middle grade and young adult, as well as several flavors of adult nonfiction: narrative, sports, applied but accessible science (especially in mathematics, economics, or psychology), and journalistic narrative (think Susan Cain, Malcolm Gladwell, or David Brooks). Learn more about Krista here.

Michaela Whatnall is a literary agent with Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. Michaela’s background in school and library marketing accounts for their strong interest in children’s literature, particularly middle grade and young adult fiction of all genres, including contemporary, fantasy, science fiction, historical, adventure, horror, and romance. In the adult fiction space, they are particularly seeking contemporary, speculative, and historical upmarket fiction, as well as character-driven, grounded fantasy and romantasy. They are also open to select narrative nonfiction for both children and adults, graphic novels, and picture books. Learn more about Michaela here.

Brittany Torres Rivera is an assistant editor with Graywolf Press, and is taking pitches on behalf of her imprint. Graywolf Press publishes about 30 books annually — mostly poetry, memoirs, essays, novels, translations, and short stories. “Our editors are looking for high quality literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry that combine a distinct voice with a distinct vision. Our editors seek out and solicit promising work from authors that they encounter in the pages of magazines, at writing conferences, and in other venues.” Learn more about Brittany here.

Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong is a literary agent at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency and a member of the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA). Cathie is seeking adult fiction submissions in the following areas and genres: romance, domestic suspense, psychological suspense, horror fiction, mystery, historical fiction, commercial fiction, women’s fiction, and book club fiction. Learn more about Cathie and her wishlist here.

Ruth Gila Berger is a literary agent with Red Sofa Literary. She is seeking: adult and young adult fiction that has a hook, nuance and heart; essay collections that show up in the wrong outfit, take a circuitous or unexpected route to writing, and question assumptions; narrative nonfiction with a story – especially if it marries two seemly disparate fields like art and mathematics, physics and cooking, birds and language, etc. I want to read experts who can charm and surprise me, make me laugh and never take a tone of intellectual superiority; memoir is where my heart lives but you have to knock my socks off and be connected to something in the larger world (must have a platform to sell) and graphic Novels, only if they are original, beautiful and funny. Learn more about Ruth here.

Erin Casey Westin is a literary agent with Gallt and Zacker Literary Agency. Erin is open to all kid lit and children’s books age groups — picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and young adult — and is particularly drawn to work that shows the author’s world and character-building ability. She also is open to kidlit nonfiction. She wants to believe wholeheartedly in the world of the book, whether the setting is familiar or fantastic. Learn more about Erin here.

Michael Croy is a literary agent with Northstar Literary. Michael is interested in acquiring general/mainstream fiction – stories told with heart and humor that have a strong sense of place with characters you quickly cheer for (or against!). Recent fiction favorites like Whiskey When We’re Dry by John Larison, When All is Said by Anne Griffin or The Bear by Andrew Krivak. On the narrative nonfiction side he is looking for thoughtful pop culture commentary, or cultural history, think Valeria Luiselli’s powerful Tell Me How It Ends, or Chuck Klosterman’s The Nineties, or This Woman’s Work by Sinead Gleeson and Kim Gordon. Sports biographies that are less about sport and more about personal struggles to overcome political, cultural, or physical hurdles – think of Path Lit by Lightning: The Life of Jim Thorpe by David Maraniss. Learn more about Michael here.

Laura Zats  is a literary agent with Headwater Literary. (Note: Concerning the 10-minute “pitch” appointments at the event, Laura’s agency handles these opportunities in a specific way. In her own words: “Headwater, as a policy doesn’t do traditional pitch sessions, but we DO perform consultations, where we meet with anyone and answer questions & give feedback, rather than just give a yes/no.”) Laura represents young adult books, science fiction, fantasy, romance, mystery, literary fiction with speculative elements, and select contemporary and historical fiction. “I particularly love to work on books that appeal to readers of different genres or subgenres—if you’re pitching something that crosses multiple areas of my list, I want to see it!” Learn more about Laura here.